Conference yukon::christian_v7

	Atta girl, Nancy!

	Would that we all would have the spirit of boldness to share
	as you did, and not worry about rejection.

Hi,

Just because this is also a bit of a topic for me, I'd like to offer the 
following verses from Ecclesiastes:

     11:1 CAST thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find  it
     after many days.
     11:2 Give a portion to seven, and also to  eight;  for  thou
     knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
     11:3 If the clouds be full of rain,  they  empty  themselves
     upon  the  earth;  and if the tree fall toward the south, or
     toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there
     it shall be.
     11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and  he  that
     regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
     11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit,  nor
     how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child;
     even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.
     11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the  evening  with-
     hold  not  thine  hand;  for  thou knowest not whether shall
     prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall  be
     alike good.

I think that a lot of times we spend so much time "observing" the wind, that
we never sow those seeds we have.  When what we should be doing is sowing
mornings, and evenings, and praying that both would bear fruit.

In my German Bible the section heading for Ecclesiastes 11 is "useful ways
to handle things in the present in view of an uncertain future" (roughly
translated :-).  Since we never know how many opportunities we will have to
talk with someone about the Lord, then we should always look to take advan-
tage of every opportunity that we get.  I find that, when I hesitate because
I'm not sure how the other person will receive it, it's usually because I
am more concerned about what they think of me, than I am about where they will
spend eternity....

Rob

    
    >I'm not sure how the other person will receive it, it's usually because
    >I am more concerned about what they think of me, than I am about where
    >they will spend eternity....
    
    Many of you know and have read my testimony from the previous version,
    so I wont' go into great detail here, but I want to state that if
    anyone was fragile and unable to deal with taking that stand for
    Christ, it was I.  My father sexually abused me, my mother abandoned me
    in every way, she was present at times, but not consistent.  I was in a
    foster home for 3 years, where through God's grace I accepted Christ as
    Savior.  Because of the alcoholic, abusive home I grew with, I was a
    people pleaser, needing so much to be liked by everyone.
    
    To be quite honest just 2 years ago, you'd never have caught me
    witnessing right out in public here at work with people who only sit 3
    feet from me!!! No Way.  My poor fragile self image couldn't take it. 
    I'd spent my life trying to be liked, why would I purposely alienate
    someone from me [and we all have the fear that religion breeds contempt
    not conversion]  SATAN LIES!!!!!  
    
    A few False Belief Systems that inhibit witness:
    
    1.  *Insecurity* based on childhood beliefs developed through abuse.
         "I can't do it." or "I'm not good enough for God to use."
    
    2.  *Timidity* the fear of rejection.  The need to be liked by
        everyone so intensely that any rejection is a death.
    
    3.  *Ignorance* the belief that you just don't know enough to share.
    
            **  All of these add up to a FALSE SELF IMAGE. **
    
    But Praise God, it don't have to end there. When we begin to reflect
    ourselves in the image of God as He created us, that is the first step
    of breaking down these False Beliefs.
    
    Get out that sledgehammer and start breaking down the barriers that
    were built up as a false protection of self, and begin living in the
    security and protection of God.  
    
    With love,
    Nancy

Ouch, Nancy, that last one hit painfully close to home.  Then again, the 
truth usually does. :^)

Your testimony is great encouragement for all of us.  Keep it up.


Sandy

      Hi,
    
        Yes, we should testify at work.  At the very least, our actions
        and words should always be some testimony.
    
        As far as what to testify with (whether or not to use a lot of
        scripture) I think is an individual thing.  Different hearts are
        going to respond differently and it makes sense that as we grow
        in discernment, we will grow in knowing the precise way to reach
        someone.
    
        Come to think of it...Jesus didn't seem to use a lot of scripure
        at first.  A bunch of parables (that _became_ scripture!).
    
        My basic thought is that how one witnesses is asa fully unique
        as their are individual hearts and what works for one person may
        not work for another.
    
                                                          Tony

Helpful hint # 407:

Follow our primary example!  Every word spoken by our Savior when He walked
on the earth was carefully chosen and reflected the infinite wisdom and
ageless understanding received from our Father in Heaven.

His everyday speech was full of the love and truth about the Father; salvation;
His mission and divine guidance.  He did not quote `chapter and verse' to win
the hearts and souls of mankind, but He selectively quoted the Scriptures in
those situations that required a point of reference (usually when pressed for
an answer by the `religious' leaders of that time.

When He DID refer to the Old Testament, Jesus did NOT say, `In the book of Ezra
chapter 7 verse 10...'.  What He DID say very often was, "It is written...".

Remember, the idea is to spread the good news of the testimony of Jesus Christ
and Him crucified.  This can be accomplished without verbally footnoting the
portions of Scripture used in the conversation.  If the exact location comes
to your mind, make a mental note of it and save that for those who ask for it
so they can see it for themselves.

RE: -.1

... You can use the Scriptures in your discussion without having to stop and
actually say, `Hey, these words come from the book of_____, chapter___, verse
____.

Joe

    Nit and :-)
    
>When He DID refer to the Old Testament, Jesus did NOT say, `In the book of Ezra
>chapter 7 verse 10...'.
    
    Of course not!  The divisions into chapters (except for Psalms) and
    verses were not done until much later. :-)
    
    Mark L.

�>When He DID refer to the Old Testament, Jesus did NOT say, `In the book 
�>of Ezra chapter 7 verse 10...'.

� The divisions into chapters and verses were not done until much later.

 - relatively recent.  In fact, the few specifics refer to the Old
Testament location by scroll, which doesn't even necessarily correspond to
the book we would place it in. 
    
							Andrew

    It's funny the question asked was where does the terms *saved* and
    *born again* come from and what do they mean?
    
    How can you not quote chapter and verse to answer that kind of
    question?  
    
    Also, I do have a question, If the word of God is alive, is quick and
    powerful, sharper then any two-edged sword, why not use it?  I agree 
    you don't have to say chapter and verse, but by George, I'm not ashamed
    of knowing it.  For the most part I know scripture but to recall
    chapter and verse isn't there most of the time.  When it does come to
    mind, I believe the Spirit has placed it there. [as He has many times
    in this conference for me]
    
    I've found in witnessing most folks do not react as this woman reacted. 
    As a matter of fact I asked Diana what her perception was of what
    happened in the lunchroom.  Her response was that this woman was
    already upset with me, cause she'd seen me reading my Bible and just
    thought I was a fanatic.  It bothered her greatly.  Her impression was
    that I was just too much into this Lord stuff. :-) :-)
    
    I stood back and said am I supposed to be offended?  It was like shout,
    Praise God, I finally have a witness that is proper. :-)  Now, of
    course, humility is important to win her. %-}
    
    Funny how that works, Praise God, humble, Praise God, humble..
    
    mumble mumble mumble,
    Nancy
    

    Hi,
     I have felt compelled to add my thoughts.
    
     When it comes to witnessing I always try to remember how I reacted
    when approached before being saved. I put on an act as though I
    couldn't be bothered and did not need this christianity stuff. However
    looking back I can honestly say deep down there was insecurity and
    emptyness in my life. As the Word Of God was shared with me it did cut
    down to the marrow of the bone. His Word will not come back void. Seeds
    were being planted and Thank God it fell on good soil!!! I believe my
    experience is common. There is no peace without Jesus Christ.
    
     Here are some guidlines to witnessing on the job:(not in any order)
    
    1. Especially for people who are newly saved, just tell them what Jesus
       did for you. An experience is better than an argument.
    
    2. Live out the Word Of God. Your life might be the only Bible that
       someone will ever read.
    
    3. Pray and ask God for opportunities to witness each day. You will be
       amazed what doors He will open.
    
    4. Don't brow beat your unsaved co-worker with the gospel but also
       don't compromise your walk with God.
    
     In Him,
    Tom Kurtz
      
                            

    Tom, 
    
    
    Thanks for that wisdom, the simpler the better.
    
    :-)
    
    Nancy

How did everyone so grossly misunderstand my reply?  Hmmm...???  2nd attempt

Saved person = Joe;  Un-saved person = Bob

Conversation Example A

Joe    "Hey Bob, it says in the Bible, according to the book of John chapter 3
    	verse 16 and 17: `For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
    	begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
    	have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to
    	condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.'"

Bob    "Well, I've led a pretty good life - better than most, I'd say, and
    	expect to get into heaven when I die."

Joe    "I used to think that way too, Bob, but now I know better because it
    	says in the book of John chapter 14 verse 6: `Jesus said unto him,
    	I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,
    	but by me.'"

Conversation Example B

Joe    "Hey Bob, God loved the world so much that he sent His only Son, Jesus
    	Christ, so all those who believe in Him will have everlasting life.
    	You see, He didn't send Jesus to condem us, but to save us."

Bob    "Well, I've led a pretty good life - better than most, I'd say, and
        expect to get into heaven when I die."

Joe    "I used to think that way too, Bob, but now I know better because I've
    	learned that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man
    	will get through to God the Father but by Jesus the Son."

You see, in Example A, Joe used all the quotes and sited their locations in the
Bible.  In example B, the same message was shared, but it didn't dwell on the
exact locations in the Bible.

I am very well aware that the Bible was sectioned off well after the time of
Jesus, but the OT was most certainly divided into it's separate books at that
time.  It even refers to itself by name in some of them.  Jesus certainly knew
He was quoting from Psalms or Isaiah etc when speaking to His listeners, but
as I said, He simply said, "It is written..."

I'm sorry everyone has mis-interpreted my previous comments, I'm not even
sure if this helps.  It is difficult to distinguish the word "quote" when
refering to siting the exact wording and "quote" when refering to stating the
reference locations (John 3:16).

In any event, I'm merely attempting to say, I tend to be more relaxed in some
situations and will share the gospel without the reference locations and know
I'm not compromising the Scriptures.

Regards,
Joe

    Joe, the point was well made and well received, but I guess I blew it
    in my communication.
    
    :-)
    Nancy